Nelsan Ellis and Rutina Wesley Discuss the Final Season of HBO’s True Blood:

Have you ever wondered where actor Nelsan Ellis got the catch phrase of ‘Hookah’ for his True Blood character Lafayette Reynolds? Yeah, me too! Well, you can find out who he stole the phrase from in the video below.

As well as Nelsan, you can tune in and find out what Rutina Wesley (who played Tara Thornton in the HBO vampire series) thought about her very last scene filmed for True BloodSeason 7.

The pair also chat about their very first scene together on set as well as why Nelsan thinks Rutina was perfect in the role of Tara.

You can check out the video below for all the answers and more. Plus, don’t forget to purchase your copy of HBO’s True Blood Season 7 on DVD and BluRay. Alternatively, you can pick up the complete box set of True Blood Seasons 1-7. Both editions are available from Tuesday November the 11th 2014.

Sources: TVGuide – True Blood Video: Go Behind the Scenes of the Show’s Final Season

Keep November 7-9 2014 Free for Rutina’s Appearance at Wizard World:

True Blood fans will be able to meet up with Rutina Wesley (who played Tara Thornton in the HBO vampire series) at next month’s Wizard World event in Tulsa. It has just been announced that Rutina alongside another vampire actor, Corey Feldman (who starred in the cult vampire movie The Lost Boys), will be appearing in this event. You can view the full details below:

Wizard World Tulsa

GUESTS INCLUDE
Rutina Wesley (True Blood), Norman Reedus (The Walking Dead), Robert Englund (A Nightmare on Elm Street), Corey Feldman (The Lost Boys), Tom Felton (Harry Potter) and many, many more great actors. Please check here for the full guest list.

BLOOD ON THE BAYOU WITH RUTINA WESLEY (ASSEMBLY HALL)1:00 – 1:30PM (Sunday 9th)
Rutina Wesley is best known for the character Tara Thorton, on HBO’s gritty Southern vampire drama, True Blood. Rutina’s portrayal of Tara Thornton, a character whose caustic tongue and tough manner conceal her vulnerability, helped make True Blood a cult hit. The success of True Blood shocked naysayers when the vampire soap opera became a favorite of both critics and audiences alike. Now she joins her fans for her very first Wizard World appearance to answer your burning questions!

Check Out These Photo’s of the True Blood Cast From BEFORE They Were on True Blood:

For many True Blood fans, the HBO vampire series introduced them to some amazing new actors. However, these actors weren’t all fresh from acting school. Some, like Denis O’Hare (who played villain Russell Edgington) had starred in many, many TV shows and movies before they were introduced to truebies via True Blood.

So lets have a look at some of them via Mashable’s recent list:

Before Anna Paquin was a telepathic waitress called Sookie Stackhouse, she won an Oscar when she was only a child in a movie called The Piano:

Stephen Moyer starred as Prouix the Architect in Quills alongside Geoffrey Rush and Kate Winslet long before he took on the role Bon Temps resident vampire Bill Compton:

Alexander Skaragard starred in many Swedish movies before starring as a male model called Meekus in Zoolander. However, his earliest role was that of Kalle Nubb in Åke och hans värld (Åke and His World). Of course, we all know him now as the 1000 year old viking vampire, Eric Northman:

Before Ryan Kwanten was a dimwitted southern deputy called Jason Stackhouse, he starred as Vinnie in a long time recurring role on Australia’s Home and Away:

Rutina Wesley may be known as Tara Thornton, the bestie of Sookie who managed to die twice in True Blood, but before that she was Raya Green in How She Move:

And as for Kristin Bauer van Straten who plays vampire Pam? Well, she will forever go down in history as Jillian, the woman with man hands in Seinfeld:

Rutina Becomes BFF With Another Character Who Has Issues:

Rutina Wesley has been busy since she learned not only of the demise of her regular gig on HBO’s True Blood, but also of the death of her character, Tara Thornton in Season 7. With 13 Sins and Last Weekend already released, Rutina has just joined the cast for David M. Rosenthal’s new thriller, The Perfect Guy.

Synopsis:

Leah Vaughn (Sanaa Lathan) appears to have the ideal life. She enjoys a challenging, fast-paced career as a lobbyist; Dave (Morris Chestnut), her longterm boyfriend loves her. And yet … at 36, she’s ready to move to the next phase. Marriage and a family seem a logical and welcome step. Dave is not so sure. A bit commitment phobic, his misgivings lead to a painful break up. Enter Carter Duncan (Michael Ealy), a handsome, charming stranger whose path keeps crossing with Leah’s. Caring and solicitous of Leah and her family and friends, (Charles S. Dutton, Rutina Wesley, Kathryn Morris) their relationship rapidly progresses. It seems Leah has met The Perfect Guy. But if it seems too good to be true … soon his protective nature morphs into something more sinister. It’s clear Leah has to end this new relationship and when she does, her onetime lover becomes her ultimate enemy. It will take every bit of her cunning and resolve to escape and outwit him.

Rutina will – once again – be playing the best friend of the main character. Can’t wait to see this at the movies. Let us know your thoughts by commenting below.

Truebies Can Check Out the Latest Instagram ‘Thank You’ Videos:

Truebies are honored during this final season of HBO’s True Blood with the hash tag #GoodbyesSuck and a slew of thank you videos from the cast on social media sites, including Instagram. You can check out each Instragram video below for the following True Blood cast: Rutina Wesley (Tara Thornton), Nelsan Ellis (Lafayette Reynolds), Joe Manganiello (Alcide Herveaux), Sam Trammell (Sam Merlotte) and Tara Buck (Ginger the screamer). All you need to do is click on each image and it will take you straight to their personal Instagram video message on True Blood’s official Instagram page (truebloodhbo) Be sure to check back for more later on! *EDIT: We now have the final list of Instagram thank you videos!*

Raise a glass of Tru Blood for Rutina Wesley as she thanks fans for support and love throughout the years. #GoodbyesSuck #TrueBlood

A message of thanks to all of the LaLa fans from Nelsan Ellis. #GoodbyesSuck #TrueBlood

@JoeManganiello is “grateful for all of your support,” Truebies. #TrueToTheEnd #TrueBlood

“You went on this ride with us & it was so fun.” Sam Trammell thanks all of the Truebies for experiencing Bon Temps with him. #TrueToTheEnd #TrueBlood #GoodbyesSuck

@RyanKwanten says thanks to the Truebies “for showing us that it’s okay to be a little bit different.” #TrueToTheEnd #TrueBlood #GoodbyesSuck

Your favorite baby vamp Deborah Ann Woll wants all Truebies to know that they “made this show what it is.” #TrueToTheEnd #TrueBlood #GoodbyesSuck

A tearful goodbye. Kristin Bauer van Straten sends her thanks to all loyal Truebies for their support. #TrueToTheEnd #TrueBlood #GoodbyesSuck

We literally couldn’t do this without you. “ @_AnnaPaquin sends her love to all Truebies out there. #RIPTrueBlood #TrueToTheEnd #GoodybesSuck

Todd Lowe sends a thank you to all of the military support he has received over the years. #RIPTrueBlood #TrueToTheEnd #GoodybesSuck

“Without you there is no us.” Chris Bauer thanks all of the loyal #TrueBlood fans. #RIPTrueBlood #TrueToTheEnd #GoodybesSuck

@McMillzz thanks all of the loyal #TrueBlood fans. Send off the series this Sunday at 9 PM. #RIPTrueBlood #TrueToTheEnd

Tara Buck says thanks to all Truebies the only way she knows how. Say goodbye to #Trueblood this Sunday. #RIPTrueBlood

Lauren Bowles sends a thank you to the #TrueBlood fan base. Watch the final episode this Sunday at 9PM. #RIPTrueBlood #TrueToTheEnd

Alexander Skarsgard reflects on how the series “changed his life.” Watch the series finale tonight 9PM. #RIPTrueBlood #TrueToTheEnd #TrueBlood

@_smoyer says thank you to “all those fans who’ve been watching from the beginning.” #TrueToTheEnd #RIPTrueBlood #TrueBlood

HBO’s True Blood Premiere Had Trubies Questioning What Went Down With Tara Thornton:

On Sunday night with the premiere of HBO’s True Blood Season 7, many fans – even though they had been warned – were still left wondering if they really did see the very final death of Tara Thornton (Rutina Wesley). As a result, True Blood fans headed straight to Twitter demanding to know if the newly made vampire really was dead since, technically, we didn’t see her demise onscreen. Tara’s maker Pam (Kristin Bauer van Straten) also seemed to be none the wiser about her progeny’s death, so fans pointed immediately to that as evidence that Tara might still be alive.

But actress Rutina Wesley herself has been quick to announce that Tara really is dead this time:

She’s dead. But I can tease that dead doesn’t always mean gone on True Blood.

she told told Entertainment Weekly recently. She goes on to explain that the short stint we saw in Episode 1 (entitled Jesus Gonna Be Here) of her mother Lettie Mae (Adina Porter) high on V might not be the last time we see Lettie Mae claiming to ‘see’ Tara, that there may be more of Tara’s story line unfolding and therefore the opportunity for visions and/or flashbacks of Tara. This Tara, however, will be a gentler version of the one we know and love.

And how did Rutina react when she received the news that her character would die in Season 7:

I think it’s great. I think somebody had to go. To have a main character right off the bat go, that’s gonna bring everybody into the show. It’s like, “Okay, and the show has started.” It’s kind of like the catalyst for everything else that’s gonna probably happen… They’ve given me such an incredible journey on this show that I’ve never had any complaints about what they’ve written for me. So when I found out, I was just like, “Okay, great. Let’s get it started. This is the final season. We can’t all make it to the end.” You wouldn’t have a show. There wouldn’t be any drama. It wouldn’t be True Blood if somebody didn’t die.

As for how Pam will eventually react to the death of her newly formed progeny and lover, Kristin had this to say:

“I think that it informs a lot of [who] Pam [is for] the rest of her season. She already chose to go look for Eric over staying with her progeny at the end of last season, but she didn’t imagine that she would die. But she did abandon her, and I think that only ups the stakes for Pam, because now she really has to find Eric, she has no one else left… We’ve only seen two people in seven years that matter to Pam, and Tara became one of them.

So it appears it won’t be an easy season for Pam this year – but is it ever?

Let us know what you thought of Tara’s death by commenting below!

And don’t despair at not being able to see Rutina Wesley any more in True Blood, since you can check out the trailer below for her newest movie, 13 Sins:

True Blood Season 7, Episode 1 and Already We Say Goodbye:

For fans who have not seen HBO’s True Blood Season 7 Episode 1 (entitled ‘Jesus Gonna Be Here’), you may just want to skip away from this post until after you have viewed the episode.

Last chance guys…

Okay, so I am guessing you have either seen the first episode, or you are happy to read ahead through the spoilers about Episode !

So, it is with a heavy heart that within the very first episode of True Blood Season 7, we have to bid farewell to Tara Thornton (Rutina Wesley) – and right when it seems she could have made amends with her mother too!

Many fans are happy to see the death of a character that has bought them more grief than joy over the years, but, for others, there are a great many tears. This is not the first time we have seen the death of the smart mouthed bestie of Sookie Stackhouse (Anna Paquin); at the end of Season 4 she was shot, but Sookie acted quickly in Season 5, and had Tara turned into a vampire.

This time it seems like her luck is well and truly up.

Although, as fans have already pointed out – why didn’t Pam (Kristin Bauer van Straten) notice the death of her progeny? Even though we see Tara’s mom, Lette May (Adina Porter) covered in what looks like vampire goo, we still have to ask: is Tara really, truly dead this time? Well, according to Kristin Bauer van Straten, you will just have to tune in to True Blood Season 7 Episode 2 to find out why Pam didn’t ‘feel’ Tara die…

Vampire Tara Will be Reliving the Past:

Fans are beginning to anticipate what will be going down in the very last season of HBO’s True Blood. Besides wondering what will be the outcome of those zombie-like Hep V infected vampires, there is also much conjecture about Eric Northman’s (Alexander Skarsgard) fate – especially considering he is yet to show up in any of the True Blood Season 7 promo items.

But what of the other characters? How will their stories conclude in Season 7? Will everyone get closure?

For newly made vampire, Tara Thornton (Rutina Wesley), it seems there might be some sort of closure for her past for her with E!Online dropping this delicious spoiler recently:

Expect to see a major Tara-centric flashback in one of the final episodes of the season, one that will give us a look at her troubled childhood. In the trip down memory lane, viewers will see Joe, Tara’s scary, abusive drunk of a father, as well as a young Sookie and Lafayette.

Considering Tara’s born again mother, Lettie Mae (Adina Porter),proclaimed a renewed – and apparently unbiased – love for her daughter in the final episode of True Blood Season 6, it could be possible that dealing with her mommy issues might also bring up unresolved daddy issues.

What are your thoughts on this story arc in True Blood Season 7? Let us know in the comments below!

Mon and Tues at 7pm, Thurs and Fri at 8pm, Sat at 2pm and 8pm, Sun at 3pm

What happens to our servicemen and women when they come home?
Exploring the lingering effects of trauma, injustice, and one woman’s recompense,One Night… takes an unflinching look at what is happening to women in the US Armed Forces when their decision to serve exposes them to an unforeseen battle against their fellow soldiers. One Night… was commissioned by Cherry Lane Theatre.

Running time: approximately two hours, plus one 10 minute intermission.

Reg $66, Student and Military $20 with valid ID at the box office
For group rates, please contact Toni Israel: toni@walkercommunications.com / 718-703-2260

5% of ticket proceeds benefit IAVA, the first and largest nonprofit, nonpartisan organization for Iraq and Afghanistan veterans. Learn more and support the Next Greatest Generation at IAVA.org.

~Provided by Cherry Lane Theater website

I wish I live close enough to check this out! Let us know if you get the chance to see this show by commenting below!

Or Will Pam Continue Her Search For Eric Northman?

At he end of HBO’s True Blood Season 5 we saw a passionate kiss between Pam (Kristin Bauer van Straten) and her newly made progeny, Tara Thornton (Rutina Wesley). In Season 6, with all the separation between the two of them at vamp camp and a Pam who announced early on in the season that their relationship was not going to be a love story, things looked grim for the hot new pair.

But what about in True Blood’sSeason 7? Could their romance bloom now they are free from the claustrophobic environment of vamp camp? Could being able to (briefly) walk in the sun bring them closer together? Or will Pam spend the entire season looking for her maker, Eric Northman (Alexander Skarsgard)?

Michael Ausiello from TVLine got the opportunity to ask True Blood’s newest showrunner, Brian Buckner, about where the relationship between Pam and Tara is headed. Here is what Buckner had to say:

As the audience heard Pam say in Episode 1, life is long — especially for vampires. She also told Tara that this is not going to be a love story. But I would urge [fans] to be patient. Because if the show delivers on the audience’s expectation every week, that’s not storytelling. Where’s the surprise in that? These [story] threads can be picked up later. I want to be able to tell more interesting, circuitous stories at times and not always deliver on the junk-food promise of the show.

Well, isn’t that interesting? It seems we just have to be a little more patient in this department, but it sure sounds promising.

What do you think? Are you loving the Pam and Tara snark combined into the one relationship? Let us know in the comments below.